M&P SHIELD 0.40 CALIBER MAGAZINE DROP PROBLEM POLL

[cc4600]

I stopped at a gun shop in Lakeland, FL yesterday and picked up a new Shield .40 on a spur of the moment as the S&W factory guys were there providing free demos (theirs worked great). I went to the range today to break it in and had numerous (too many to count) mag drops and I got tired of the issue and stopped at 100 rounds. I wish I had seen these threads on the problem before I bought it! I have a 40C & a 40 Pro and have had no issues with them and love them. I am a dyed in the wool S&W guy (7 S&W handguns) and this was my first time being disappointed by them. I purchased the .40 Shield as a new CCW replacement for my Kahr PM9 as I really like my other M&P 40's. I emailed S&W and asked them what they were going to do to correct it?

 

[seattle911]

You might consider the simple fix listed here. It will take five minutes.

 

[cc4600]

Thanks, I saw all of the posts and the easy fix, but I would prefer to have S&W correct the problem and I will just continue to carry my PM9 until they do so.

 

[Gator Bruce]

Yes for me.

Both mags are difficult to seat. I have had a few missteps with the small magazine, but my large magazine fails consistently.

I purchased this weapon (my first M&P) exclusively for CCW. I can't wear because I have no faith at when it must work it won't.

Will be calling custom service Tuesday.

 

[FiveForm]

Well, count me as a "yes." Picked up a Shield .40 on Saturday, brought it to the range with much anticipation yesterday, Sunday, and both the short and long mags dropped with each shot! I notified S&W via email and am awaiting a response. Not sure if they will send me the new release, or ask for the gun back. I do have to say that the .40 shield shot to point of aim and grouped outstandingly, although I won't carry it until the problem is fixed - soon, I hope. No out of battery discharges, as described by another shooter...

 

[COD49]

DO THE RIGHT THING

I purchased a S&W Shield 40 cal. Series DXV from a large gun store chain in South Florida. My first trip to their range today and every 7 round magazine came out after the first round was fired. The six round magazine came out twice. Shame on me for not doing some advanced homework prior to this purchase. I relied on the general M&P product evaulations and the glowing shield reviews. I guess it was the reason why the store had only 40 cal. in stock and no 9mm. Apparently, S&W has known about this problem for some time. I am scratching my head why they would risk their reputation when such a large portion of this product is sub standard and did not issue a recall. I am also puzzled why the dealers are selling this gun until the problem is sorted out. I can understand the replacement of the magazine release, but I think the modifications that they make to the magazine body only point out their poor design and most importantly a lack of quality control and final product testing. Calling S&W tomorrow and see what they wish to do. Needless to say, I am very disappointed in this pistol.

 

[Bierliebhaber]

COD49, apparently the kick from this gun pops the mags out, in some instances, because the mag catch isn't sufficient/the magazine is a bit too narrow at the opening for the mag release. It's an easy fix at home, check on this thread, you'll see the fix.

 

[VicTorious1]

I purchased the .40 cal Shield a couple of weeks ago one day after buying and shooting the 9mm Shield. I experienced the mag dropping on both the 6+1 and 5+1 mag on my first few rounds when shooting the .40 (no problems at all with the 9mm). Since then, only the 6+1 mag drops. However, it drops approximately two to three times per magazine. My serial # is DXV. I called S&W and they told me that it is only happening with a "few" of the guns manufactured and they have a small fix. All I need to do is send in my gun. I asked if future/additional mags would work once the fix is complete and the customer service rep said yes. I love shooting both of my Shields. I'm actually more accurate with my .40 than my 9mm.

 

[COD49]

SHIELD MAGAZINE PROBLEMS

I called Smith & Wesson CS today and they are sending me a return label with the RMA number. I had this pistol for four days, and now it is going back. There is still no statement from Smith & Wesson to it's customers about the problem. It appears so widespread that they can no longer avoid it. I mean, where has their quality control been for the last two months? Wouldn't you think that they pulled product from the production line for quality control inspection! This is not a problem that slowly develops but was there from the initial production. I fully understand as illustrated by posters, that with a hammer and punch the magazine can be modified by the owner to function. However, I do not know how long this fix will last and what liability is involved should this weapon be sold with a self fix. I just checked Midways web site for magazines. I wonder if the new magazines will come from the factory with the "BUMP" as shipped to Midway and other vendors.

 

[Vindic8]

I ended up with a mag dropper, mag released on every round fired. Didn't make a difference if there are 7 or 1 in the magazine. Sent her back to S&W got a new mag catch and "bump" magazine. Haven't had a failure yet

Serial number DXV9XXX

 

[The_Unknown_Surfer]

Just on Outdoor Channel last week

I mean, where has their quality control been for the last two months? Wouldn't you think that they pulled product from the production line for quality control inspection!

Just last Wednesday on Shooting USA
(Outdoor Channel Wednesday evenings)
they re ran a segment on the Shield.
They showed and named some of the people making the Shield,
AND showed that every 500th unit was pulled for quality testing.
and every 1,500th I think was the number,
was pulled for torture testing to the point of failure.
So this is a very valid question;
Where was and is the quality control?

Something else that I have noticed,
every single magazine and television review of the Shield
has shown the 9mm in action, not the .40.
The .40 is only mentioned as "also being available".
Seems to me that S&W is so aware of the problem
that they don't even want to send a .40 in to the field for test and review.

Now, this is all of course my opinion.
And my opinion along with $5.00 cash
will still get you a small cup of regular black coffee
in about half of the restaurants within the United States.
Carry out only of course.

 

[oneiron]

Drops every 3rd or forth round

Mine drops either mag every 3rd or forth round. My last SMITHWESSOIN ever!
Anybody got a XDs they would like to trade for my 40cal Shield? I will consider paying fair amount of boot!

 

[oneiron]

Miss spellig

Smith & Wesson, web site would not let me edit. Works like my Shield ...seldom and wrong !!

 

[konertjm]

Curiousity is probably getting the better of me here,
but I would really like to hear if someone who's weapon has NOT had the problem
and the magazines are NOT bumped out,
puts their magazines in to a weapon that IS having the problem, and vice versa.
In other words,
what happens if you swap magazines ?

My Shield S/N DXX1### was finished Friday 08/31/12 at S&W
(They received it 08/23/12 so only 7 business days, not 10 as they originally quoted me)
but it didn't make that days outbound FedEx shipping.
Oh well, they will ship it Tuesday,
I will have it Thursday,
RANGE TIME FRIDAY!

Well I have a Shield .40 S/N DXP2nnn. Purchased new. Over 300 rounds through it without a single malfunction. No mag drops with either mag, both filled to the max before inserting.

Closest thing to a malfunction were 2 FTF in the same mag from my first Winchester White Box 165gr. Range gun smith concluded that primer was bad, as the central strike dimple was very good. None since, either from WWB or my current target load, Federal 180gr.

BTW, I recently removed my mag release button and lubed with silicone spray, allowed to dry and re-inserted. Just in case.

 

[FiveForm]

I just got off the phone with Smith & Wesson customer service. Since I live 40 minutes away from the factory in Springfield I'll be delivering the Shield 40 to them personally, cutting down on the time. When they return it, it will be by UPS. Hopefully this will quicken the process...

 

[Garnet]

How Frustrating

Called S&W CS yesterday. Spoke with Tom. Told him my Shield had been previously returned, mag catch replaced. I stated since return the mags had not fallen out but I was concerned that the mag release took almost no pressure to release the mag. Also told him I had seen on this forum some people were being provided with new mags as the "fix". He stated he would send me an RA and provide new mags once I had shipped him my current mags. I inquired if this was the "official" fix for the problem. He replied it was not. I am providing this exchange simply as another data point. I am also currently undecided about exchanging the mags. If I do return them I'm thinking I will surreptitiously mark them thus allowing me to determine if they actually provide new or just modify mine. My serial # DXT.

So, I sent the mags in. Just got an email from S&W. Here it is:

Garnet,

Good afternoon. I am in receipt of the 2 40 cal mags which you sent in for replacement. I apologize…the service rep should have sent you a label to return the gun along with the 2 mags. The issue has to do with the mag catch, not the mags themselves.

I will be returning the 2 mags to you and I will send a pre paid self insured Fed Ex label for you to return the gun along with these mags. Please wrap everything well and included a letter with your full name and address.

I am sorry for the inconvenience created by the mis-information that you received.

Thank you,

Roz Sousa

Customer Service
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104
Tel. 800-331 0852 Ext 3787
Fax 413 747 3317

Will have to wait until I calm down some before I respond to her!

G

 

[RobsTV]

Mine drops either mag every 3rd or forth round. My last SMITHWESSOIN ever!
Anybody got a XDs they would like to trade for my 40cal Shield? I will consider paying fair amount of boot!

Was going to get a Shield in .40, but the XDs in .45 sounded like another great choice.

Yes, many have a mag drop issue with the Shield 40 that is easily corrected in a couple minutes, without the need to send it back.

But take a look at the XD forums about the XDs. One thread asking for serial numbers to help solve issues has over 62 pages of replies. It is like this thread on steroids. No *******g way. You think a dropped mag is bad, how about many having issues for first few hundred rounds such as light strikes out of battery, Not recommended that you rack the slide and instead need to use slide release each time. Firing pin damage. These type of issues and many more are happening repeatably to many owners for hundreds of rounds. Seems after hundreds of rounds, things do start to get better. And of course, many have no issues at all (except the racking slide issue). For a range gun, perhaps, but to protect, not looking like I want to take a chance with all those issues. The Shield 40 mag drop issue seems like winning the lottery in comparison to the XDs troubles.

 

[insomniac]

Was going to get a Shield in .40, but the XDs in .45 sounded like another great choice.

Yes, many have a mag drop issue with the Shield 40 that is easily corrected in a couple minutes, without the need to send it back.

But take a look at the XD forums about the XDs. One thread asking for serial numbers to help solve issues has over 62 pages of replies. It is like this thread on steroids. No *******g way. You think a dropped mag is bad, how about many having issues for first few hundred rounds such as light strikes out of battery, Not recommended that you rack the slide and instead need to use slide release each time. Firing pin damage. These type of issues and many more are happening repeatably to many owners for hundreds of rounds. Seems after hundreds of rounds, things do start to get better. And of course, many have no issues at all (except the racking slide issue). For a range gun, perhaps, but to protect, not looking like I want to take a chance with all those issues. The Shield 40 mag drop issue seems like winning the lottery in comparison to the XDs troubles.

Bravo!

besides the easily fixed (either by owner, or S&W) mag drop issue, i have heard of no other problems with this weapon.

i fired another hundred rounds the other day without any problems. it's a reliable, accurate and fun to shoot sub-compact .40 cal.

i carry it everyday with confidence.

 

[cc4600]

I received a response today to the email I sent on 9/2 to S&W CS regarding the mag drop issue with my new .40 Shield. I was instructed to send the gun and magazines to them and they would repair it and return it to me. So much for getting to keep the original magazines and receiving two additional mags back with the repaired gun! They emailed the pre-paid return label with the instructions.

 

[TMAXXII]

I modified the mag myself and have had no problem after 400 rounds. However, I don't like the extended mags anyways and purchased two more 6 round mags. I use the extended at the range only, I still do not trust it. I was carrying a Glock 27 with no pinky rest, so I taught myself to use three fingers. I agree S&W needs to come forward and put out general recall. Has anyone else had to modify their feed ramp on the barrel? Next time you go to the range shoot some HST through it. The barrel ramp end is extremely sharp and digs into the head of the bullet. I switched to Talons and rounded off the ramp. I will be trying some HSTs again when I go back to the range. Anyone else had problems with certain ammo?